Partnerships Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects globally. UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to various governments, donors, and UN organizations. The UNOPS Hub for West Africa, based in Dakar, oversees operations in multiple countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal, and extends its reach to other nations such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. Over the years, the UNOPS office in Senegal has built strong relationships with West African governments and international partners, offering technical support in strategic areas like elections, procurement capacity building, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Advisor serves as the senior Partnerships Development Lead for the Multi-Country Office, managing and advising other partnerships officers and related roles. Reporting to the Multi-Country Office Director, the Partnerships Advisor is part of the Senior Management Team and is responsible for developing and implementing a sub-regional partnerships development strategy and coordinating donor and client activities. This role involves conducting situation analyses, donor mapping, and program development in collaboration with existing and potential partners, including national governments, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs. The Partnerships Advisor is tasked with identifying partnership opportunities that align with UNOPS’s mandate and role within the UN system, ensuring that the organization effectively engages with stakeholders to foster collaboration and achieve mutual goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Integrated Partnerships Development Strategy: Lead the development of a comprehensive partnerships strategy aligned with UNOPS’s Strategic Plan and regional objectives. Advise senior management on strategy implementation and support project development planning. Research donor strategies to identify funding opportunities.
• Partnerships Development and Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, and NGOs. Ensure project managers and partnerships officers work closely with program and support services.
• Partner Relations and Inter-Agency Collaboration: Represent UNOPS in meetings with government counterparts and participate in inter-agency planning.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Ensure projects align with Results Based Management principles and develop monitoring frameworks.
• Project Identification and Support: Guide partnership officers in identifying priority themes and opportunities for project development.
• Team Leadership: Lead and motivate the partnerships team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Knowledge Management: Implement standards and tools to enhance partnerships and project development effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, or International Relations. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted. Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressive experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and donor relations, particularly in international development or humanitarian contexts. A minimum of 3 years of team supervision experience and 2 years of strategic advisory experience to management is required. Knowledge of infrastructure, project management, and procurement projects is desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required, with a Bachelor’s degree acceptable if accompanied by additional relevant experience. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to navigate complex partnership environments effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and donor relations, particularly in international development or humanitarian contexts. This experience should include responsibilities related to the development and execution of partnerships and program development plans, project development, proposal writing, and project acquisition. Additionally, at least 3 years of experience in team supervision and 2 years in providing strategic advice to management is required. Experience in project and program management, as well as inter-agency coordination within the UN System, is also essential.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English and French is essential for this position. Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners effectively.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) at the ICS-11 / IICA-3 level. The contract duration is indefinite, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of resources, and organizational priorities. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for shortlisted candidates during the assessment process. All personnel are expected to adhere to UNOPS policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results.